Portico Tuesday, Jul 31 2012 

Uncategorized cherrythedivebargirl 11:54 pm

Portico

11777 Coursey Blvd

(@ Sherwood)

http://www.porticoetc.com/

 

When DBG pulled up into the parking lot of Portico she noted that only the frame of the old Calendar’s restaurant remained.  The circa 1985 structure has been completely transformed into a sleek modern American bistro.  The first thing that appealed to DBG was the patio.  A large garage door and a beautiful wooden square bar helps to melt the gap between the indoor and the outdoor.  (In the fall, the patio will be the place to be.)  Indoors the lighting is warm and soft.  This feature really appealed to the cougars who were sipping martinis while they waited on their future ex-husbands. 

 

Initially, DBG was worried about the dinner selection based upon things she had read on Tigerdroppings.com, but her cheeseburger was above average and the twice-baked mashed potatoes hit the spot.  She and her Protector REALLY REALLY  enjoyed the homemade onion rings.  Her Protector enjoyed his brisket sandwich, which was tender and served on a fluffy jalapeño-cheddar biscuit. And the Portico has a beer selection that goes a little beyond just the standard Bud-Miller-Coors and has Parish Brewing Canebrake on tap. 

 

Happy hour lasts all night on Monday.  They also have a couple of late night happy hours and a 2 for 1 pint night on Thursday.    

 

DBG is happy to see the nightlife explosion in her childhood stomping grounds of South Baton Rouge.  This North Louisiana import is a welcome addition to the old ‘hood.  Shenendoah take notice—there is life after Outback Steakhouse. 

 

cherrythedivebargirl@gmail.com

 

Archives:  https://cherrythedivebargirl.wordpress.com/

 

 

A Laundry List Tuesday, Jul 31 2012 

Uncategorized cherrythedivebargirl 11:52 pm

DBG—A Laundry List for the Louisiana Lush

 

1.  Tales of the Cocktail is back from July 25th-29th in New Orleans because candy is dandy but liquor is quicker.  Celebrate all things alcoholic or just try the perfect hand-shaken daiquiri.  Some events are even free!  http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/

2.  It is 17 days until the first Saint’s preseason game; 50 days until the season opener; 44 days until the first LSU football game; 158 days until Christmas; and 207 days until Mardi Gras.  Time to start thinking about costumes!

3.  Two former Cove employees are planning to open a restaurant/bar in the old Macaroni Grill in Citiplace called The Pelican House, but they still have a few hurdles to clear with the planning commission.  It will have loads of beer on tap, a huge whiskey menu, a courtyard, and live music.  They should be open in October.  Follow their progress on the facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pelican-House-Baton-Rouge/339000576169747

4.  Where does DBG get some of her gossip?  The Tiger Droppings message board.  Their food and drink board is always entertaining!  Check it out for restaurant and bar reviews as well.  http://www.tigerdroppings.com/

5.  Cherry not giving you enough events?  Country Roads Magazine has a great calendar of local happenings as well.  http://countryroadsmagazine.com/

And don’t forget about the Culture Candy event calendar.  http://culturecandy.org/

6.  DBG really wants to know who votes for the Best of Baton Rouge in 225 Magazine?  Too many chains populated the list.  Five Guys for best burgers?  P.F. Changs for best Asian?  If someone who was thinking about moving to Red Stick picked up this magazine, what would they think of us?  I’d imagine their inner monologue might go something like: “Baton Rouge must be one of those culturally vacant beige cities situated along an interstate flanked by strip malls.” http://www.225batonrouge.com/section/best-of-225

 

Next year it should be a requirement that all Cherry readers vote for the Best of 225. 

 

Buy Local and Party Hard,

cherrythedivebargirl@gmail.com

 

Archives:  https://cherrythedivebargirl.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Louisiana Craft Beer Article for Country Roads; Bastille Day; Lillet Cocktail Friday, Jul 6 2012 

Uncategorized , , , cherrythedivebargirl 12:52 am

DBG—Country Roads

 

Hi Red Stickers!

 

Our friends at Country Roads Magazine were nice enough to let DBG write an article on craft beer in Louisiana.  And oh boy, the “research”  DBG got to do was mighty fun.  Beer fans should check it out.  You might find a new favorite brew. 

 

http://countryroadsmagazine.com/Cuisine/the-craft-beer-revolution-in-louisiana

 

Missed celebrating the 4th of July because it was in the middle of the week? The French will be celebrating La Fete Nationale 10 days later. So storm the Bastille and whip up a cocktail made with France’s favorite wine aperitif—Lillet.  Lillet is available in both blanc or rouge.  It is a blend of either is Bordeaux or Sauvignon Blanc, citrus liquor, and quinine. (Think Pimm’s, but different.) Lillet Blanc over ice with a slice of orange makes an excellent summer cocktail.  You can find Lillet at your nicer liquor stores.  Lillet was also a favorite of Hannibal Lector, and we all know how serious he was about his food and beverage.  Want to get fancy?  Check out the recipe below. 

 

Liberté Cocktail

 

3 ounces Lillet Blanc

1 ounce gin

2 dashes orange bitters

Garnish: orange peel

 

Stir ingredients together with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel.

 

Louisiana did fly under the French flag for a while. So eat some frites, play some Petanque (French Bocce Ball) and celebrate the nation who gave us Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, and the metric system. 

 

PS–DBG would never let you eat cake; she would let you eat an éclair.

cherrythedivebargirl@gmail.com

 

Archives:  https://cherrythedivebargirl.wordpress.com/